LATE ALPINE FLUORITE MINERALIZATION AND ITS POTENTIAL IN THE SOUTHERN TIEN SHAN

Abstract

Because commercial fluorite mineralization in the southern Tien Shan was deposited in late Hercynian and early Alpine metallogenic epochs, the numerous finds here of fluorite occurrences dating from late Alpine time were traditionally underrated. Analysis of available data on these fluorite occurrence shows that late alpine mineralization could also be of great interest. Morphologically and genetically, the late Alpine mineral occurrences can be divided into two types: 1) hydrothermal-vein; 2) stratiform, sedimentary and sedimentary-epigenetic. The data suggest that late Alpine fluorite mineralization is more productive than is usually supposed. Consequently, the direction of fluorite prospecting in the region should be reexamined.